| Citation |
CJ-NH.782.020
14 Mar 1782:32 (750)
From a scholar to his father. Sir, Were I not sensible that
you were willing to exert yourself for my best good, I
should not write this letter. With the greatest happiness I
inform you that as college being destitute of professors of
divinity and mathematics, we have luckily found that the
want of them both may be supplied by a professor in the
noble art of dancing. This glorious accomplishment will
recommend us more than divine and philosophical knowledge.
A L. 1000 per annum will secure an accomplished instructor
to us--By the sweat of your brow I dare say you will be
willing to furnish me with extraordinary expences for this
acquisition.---I know you labour hard for a living; yet
consider it will make me a gentleman, and I shall be an
honor in the family.---You can't conceive how I am
improved.---I have been but three weeks, and can now say to
a company, "Your most devoted, most obedient, and very
humble servant," bid them, "a very fine evening," at two
o'clock in the morning.--I can go to a merchant and buy
superfines, silks, cambricks, &c. only by signing that I
belong to the school; and just add as a compliment, I will
pay for them---People tell of taxes--hard times, &c. They
measure time by their purses, we by the fiddle.---I intended
to fit myself for a preacher, but I'll never preach in any
pulpit but a dancing-room. "Repent and be converted," are
not half so musical as pass and salute.---The honors of the
minuet give us more real transport than "Then sit thou on my
right hand," can to a dull methodical Christian.---In short,
a new tide of knowledge has overflowed all my former antic
ideas.---I see with transport, that from darkness, I am
brought into marvelous light. I am with exquisite
politeness, your illuminated son.
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